Requirements

Users of major DEs can make good use of compiz-manager, performing brief requirements checking and switching to fallback WM in case of errors. Discovering setup and hardware issues can also be done with compiz-checkAUR script (available in AUR).

Initial configuration

While the appearance of the windows and their contents is a function of GTK+ and Qt, the frames around the windows are controlled by the Window Decoration plugin. To use it make sure you have a window decorator installed. Depending on what packages you have downloaded you can choose among several window decorators. The most common ones are Emerald, kde-window-decorator, and gtk-window-decorator. The emerald decorator has the advantage that it fits better to compiz's screen handling and offers transparency effects. To set your default window decorator type the following command string in the "Window Decoration" plugin's settings under the field "Command".

Ensure that the "Window decorator" plugin is enabled in ccsm's "effects" tab, the "command" field is filled in to start a decorator.

To set emerald as your default window-decorator type:

emerald --replace

To set the kde-window-decorator as an alternative to Emerald type:

kde4-window-decorator --replace

To set the compiz-decorator-gtk as an alternative to Emerald type:

gtk-window-decorator --replace

Activate important plugins!

There is high possibility that you will want to activate a few plugins that provide basic window manager behavior or else you will have no ability to drag, scale or close any windows as soon as compiz is activated. Among those plugins are "Window Decoration" under Effects and "Move Window" & "Resize Window" under Window Management. Ccsm may be used to achieve this.
Launch CompizConfig Settings Manager:

$ ccsm

Simply put check marks next to those plugins to activate them.

Additional software

Decorators

Emerald — Compiz's own window decorator with few dependencies. (Note: Works but is buggy and no longer maintained)

Starting Compiz Fusion

Manually (with "fusion-icon")

Right click on the icon in the panel and go to 'select window manager'. Choose "Compiz" if it isn't selected already, and you should be set.

If this fails you can start compiz-fusion by using the following additional command to replace your default window decorator with Compiz's window decorator (Emerald):

$ emerald --replace

Again, note: If you want to use compiz window decorations make sure you have the "Window Decoration" plugin marked in the compiz settings through ccsm.

Manually (without "fusion-icon")

Launch Compiz with the following command (which replaces your current window manager):

$ compiz --replace ccp &

A quick overview over common compiz command-line options:

--indirect-rendering: use indirect-rendering (AIGLX)

--loose-binding: can help performance issues (nVidia?)

--replace: replace current window-manager

--keep-window-hints: keep the gnome window-manager gconf-settings for available viewports, ...

--sm-disable: disable session-management

ccp: the "ccp" command loads the last configured settings from ccsm (CompizConfig Settings Manager) otherwise Compiz will load with no settings and you won't be able to do anything with your windows like dragging, maximizing/minimizing, or moving.

KDE4

Note: The first and last methods will load Compiz-Fusion as the default window manager instead of KWin. This is faster than loading Compiz with 'fusion-icon' because it avoids loading two window managers at startup. This also prevents that annoying black screen flicker you might see using other methods (when KWin switches to Compiz on KDE's desktop loading screens). The downside is that if Compiz crashes, it may be more difficult to recover your desktop

Use System Settings (easiest)

If you need to run compiz with custom options select "Compiz custom" (when you run fusion-icon from a terminal you can see the command line with which compiz was started).
Create a file called "compiz-kde-launcher" in /usr/bin. Then make the file executable: chmod +x /usr/bin/compiz-kde-launcher.

For example:

#!/bin/bash
LIBGL_ALWAYS_INDIRECT=1
compiz --replace ccp &
wait

Autostart with "fusion-icon"

Add a symbolic link, that points to the fusion-icon executable, in your KDE Autostart directory:

$ ln -s /usr/bin/fusion-icon ~/.kde4/Autostart/fusion-icon

Next time KDE is started, it will load fusion-icon automatically.

Autostart Link without "fusion-icon"

Warning: DO NOT create compiz.desktop if you intend to install compiz-decorator-gtk; it will create a file conflict.

Append a desktop entry in the KDE Autostart directory. If it doesn't already exist (it should), create the file ~/.kde4/Autostart/compiz.desktop with the following:

Note: If compiz.desktop already exists, you may have to add "--replace" and/or "ccp" to the Exec variable. Without "--replace", Compiz won't load since it will detect another window manager already loaded. Without "ccp", Compiz will not load any of the settings and plugins that you have enabled through CompizConfig Settings Manager (ccsm) and you won't be able to manipulate any of your windows.

If you want to use the optional fusion-icon application, launch fusion-icon. If you log out normally with fusion-icon running, KDE should restore your session and launch fusion-icon the next time you log in if this setting is enabled. If it doesn't appear to be working, ensure you have the following line in ~/.kde4/share/config/ksmserverrc:

loginMode=restorePreviousLogout

Note: This is a KDE specific setting that will allow you to restore other apps next time you log in, not just fusion-icon.

Export KDEWM without "fusion-icon" (preferred)

As root you must create a short script by doing the following in your terminal. This will allow you to load compiz with the switches because doing it directly via export KDEWM="compiz --replace ccp --sm-disable" doesn't seem to work.

$ echo "compiz --replace ccp --sm-disable &" > /usr/bin/compiz-fusion

Note: If this line doesn't work, make sure the "fusion-icon" package is installed and then use this line instead:

$ echo "fusion-icon &" > /usr/bin/compiz-fusion

Be sure to complete the whole method before trying this substitute.

Ensure that /usr/bin/compiz-fusion has executable (+x) permissions.

$ chmod a+x /usr/bin/compiz-fusion

Choose one of the following:

1) Compiz for your user only --> Edit the file ~/.kde4/env/compiz.sh and add the following line so KDE will load compiz (via the script you just created) instead of loading KWin.

KDEWM="compiz-fusion"

2) Compiz system wide --> Edit the file /etc/kde/env/compiz.sh and add the following line so KDE will load compiz (via the script you just created) instead of loading KWin.

KDEWM="compiz-fusion"

Note: If that still doesn't work, yet another alternate way to accomplish the above method is to include the line

export KDEWM="compiz-fusion"

in your user's ~/.bashrc file.

Note: If you optionally use the /usr/local/bin directory it may not work. In that case you should export the script including the whole path:

export KDEWM="/usr/local/bin/compiz-fusion"

GNOME

If you have installed GNOME3 with gnome-shell, either enable forced Fallback Mode (System Info > Graphics) or simply uninstall gnome-shell.

Note: Fallback Mode is not necessary if you choose the Compiz/Cairo-Dock session method below.

The gnome-session-compizAUR can be used to add an additional menu entry in the GNOME session login dialog. This method does not require foced fallback mode and/or modifications to sensitive system files/settings. Also, you can switch between GNOME Shell and Compiz/Cairo-Dock between sessions. If you can't get it working, you can always go back to your original GNOME session.

For this method to work, Compiz and Cairo-Dock (Taskbar/Panel) may have to be configured initially for fresh accounts, from another working session (ccsm in GNOME Shell worked fine for me).

This method completely replaces the GNOME's window manager and panel (they are not launched at all, rather than being replaced or killed later). So, before actually switching to this alternate session, you may want to configure corresponding/alternate features of the original panel application in Cairo-Dock:

Add Application Menu icon to Cairo-Dock and remember its key-bindings.

Remap Application Menu key-bindings to ALT+F1 and ALT+F2, for convenience.

Add Clock, WiFi, NetSpeed icons to the dock as applicable.

Add Log-out icon:

Set the command for logout to "gnome-session-quit --logout"

Set the command for shutdown to "gnome-session-quit --power-off"

Add the Notification Area Old (systray) icon to Cairo-Dock.

Autostart (without "fusion-icon") (Preferred Method)

This Method makes use of the Desktop Entry Specification to specify a Compiz Desktop Entry and of the GConf default windowmanager setting. Thanks to the Desktop Entry you should be able to select Compiz as a windowmanager out of GDM.

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Encoding=UTF-8
Name=Compiz
Exec=/usr/bin/compiz ccp #Make sure ccp is included so that Compiz loads your previous settings.
NoDisplay=true
# name of loadable control center module
X-GNOME-WMSettingsModule=compiz
# autostart phase
##-> the folloing line cause gnome-session warning and slow startup, so try not to enable this
# X-GNOME-Autostart-Phase=WindowManager
X-GNOME-Provides=windowmanager
# name we put on the WM spec check window
X-GNOME-WMName=Compiz
# back compat only
X-GnomeWMSettingsLibrary=compiz

Note: If compiz.desktop already exists, you must make sure that the "ccp" is included in the Exec variable. Having "ccp" included simply tells Compiz to load your previous settings, otherwise you won't have any functionality.

If the above doesn't work (in most cases it does), for example if you notice some issues with windows refreshing or low performance, try:

as noted in the forum. You can also add the extra parameters as described above if needed.

2) Set some GConf parameters using the gconftool-2 command in a terminal window or do it visually with Configuration Editor (gconf-editor). The following outlines using the command line method, but you can also see which keys to change using gconf-editor:

Note: Since those parameters apply to a given user, you must logout from the root account and log in as that other user before proceeding with the next steps. GConf will fail, if called from a root account.

The following are optional and in most cases not necessary (the respective keys are deprecated since GNOME 2.12). But iny any case, if the above didn't succeed the next two statements are still valid and should be tried.

Note: I took out gnome-panel as I am using avant-window-navigator as my panel.
I'am using gnome3 fallback mode with compiz, make gtk-window-decorator start with compiz, and make avant-window-navigator start automatically.

Autostart (without "fusion-icon", Gnome prior to 2.24)

This is a way that works if you use GDM (and I'd assume KDM too).

Make a file called /usr/local/bin/compiz-start-boot with the contents:

#!/bin/bash
export WINDOW_MANAGER="compiz ccp"
exec gnome-session

and make it executable (chmod +x /usr/local/bin/compiz-start-boot). Next create the file /etc/X11/sessions/Compiz.desktop containing the following:

Autostart (with "fusion-icon")

To start Compiz fusion automatically when starting a session go to System > Preferences > Startup Applications. In the Startup Programs tab, click the Add button.

You will now see the Add Startup Program dialogue. Fill it in as follows.

Name:

Compiz Fusion

Command:

fusion-icon

Comment: (Put anything you like or leave blank.)

Note: You can also use "compiz --replace ccp" instead of "fusion-icon" to load compiz but there will be no fusion-icon.
The ccp value will tell compiz to load your previous Compiz settings as configured with CompizConfig Settings Manager (ccsm).

When you're done hit the Add button. You should now see your startup program in the list in the Startup Programs tab. It must be checked to be enabled. You can uncheck it to disable Compiz on startup and switch back to Metacity.

You may also need to use the gconftool-2 command in a terminal window to set the following parameter, otherwise fusion-icon might not load the windows decorator.

Note: This method will be slower due to the fact that Gnome will first load the default window manager (Metacity), then will launch fusion-icon which will load the Compiz window manager to replace Metacity. Essentially, it will take the amount of time that it takes to load two window manangers to get Compiz loaded. The first method is preferred and eliminates this issue.

Note: You can also use "compiz --replace ccp" instead of "fusion-icon" to load compiz but there will be no fusion-icon.
The ccp value will tell compiz to load your previous Compiz settings as configured with CompizConfig Settings Manager (ccsm).

Method 2:

Edit the following file (settings in this file is used in preference)

$ nano ~/.config/xfce4-session/xfce4-session.rc

Or to make the change for all XFCE users (root access required)

# nano /etc/xdg/xfce4-session/xfce4-session.rc

Add the following

[Failsafe Session]
Client0_Command=fusion-icon

Comment out Client0_Command=xfwm4 if it exists.

This will cause xfce to load Compiz instead of Xfwm when the user has no existing sessions.

To prevent the default session from being overwritten you may also add

As a Standalone Window Manager

The package compiz-core by itself is sufficient to start using compiz-fusion. However ccsm and emerald (or another window-decorator) are additional highly recommended packages. You may install fusion-icon, compiz-fusion-plugins-main, compiz-fusion-plugins-extra or any other package later on at any time.

Feel free to use a different panel, tray, or start a whole bunch of applications with your session.
See this forum thread for more info.

Note: Using a separate script instead of running everything from xinitrc is the only way to let all launching applications use ConsoleKit: see this article.

Add a root menu

To add a root menu similar to that in Openbox, Fluxbox, Blackbox etc. you must install the package compiz-deskmenuAUR.
Upon a restart of Compiz-Fusion, you should be able to middle click on your desktop to launch the menu.

If it does not automatically work, enter the CompizConfig Settings Manager, and in Commands tab, within the General Settings menu, ensure that there is a command to launch Compiz-Deskmenu, and the appropriate key binding is set to Control+Space.

If it still does not work, enter the Viewport Switcher menu, and change "Plugin for initiate action" to core (NOTE: for versions 0.8.2+ it's 'commands' instead of 'core'), and "Action name for initiate" to run_command0_key.

Misc

Configuration

Using compiz-manager

In order to use compiz-manager, you need to install it from community:

pacman -S compiz-manager

Compiz-manager, that is now installed in /usr/bin/compiz-manager, is a simple wrapper for Compiz and ALL of its options. For example, you can run

compiz-manager

and see what the console returns for more info. You can use it in all the scripts that start Compiz. Very simple!

Using gtk-window-decorator

In order to use gtk-window-decorator, install the package compiz-decorator-gtk and select "GTK Window Decorator" instead of "Emerald" as your window decorator in fusion-icon or whatever other program you are using to configure compiz.

gconf: Additional Compiz Configurations

To achieve more satisfying results from Compiz, you can tweak its config with gconf-editor:

$ gconf-editor

Note that now compiz-core isn't built with gconf support; It is now built with gconf support through compiz-decorator-gtk. So, you need to install it if you want to use gconf-editor to edit your Compiz configuration.
The Compiz gconf configuration is located in in the key apps > compiz > general > allscreens > options.

"Active plugins" is where you specify the plugins you would like to use. Simply edit the key and add a value(refer to the key apps > compiz > plugins to see possible values). Plugins I’ve found useful are screenshot, png, fade, and minimize. Please do not remove those enabled by default.

ATI R600/R700 Notes

While using fusion-icon you shouldn't experience any problems because it takes care of everything for you, but if you are using one of the autostart methods that do not involve fusion-icon you will run into trouble. For example when using the Xfce autostart method without fusion icon you must edit ~/.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfce4-session.xml per the instructions above. However, if you follow the directions above explicity you will find that compiz does not load. You must instead make your xfce4-session.xml file look like this

This example targeted Xfce specifically, but it can be adapted to any desktop environment. It's just a matter of figuring out how to add it to the proper config file. The key thing is the required command which if typed on a command line would look like this

Missing GLX_EXT_texture_from_pixmaps

On ATI cards (first solution)

This is because Compiz Fusion's binary was compiled against Mesa's OpenGL library rather than ATI's OpenGL library (which is what you are using). Re-install libgl-dri (yes you will have to uninstall fglrx temporarily) to get Mesa's OpenGL library.

copy the library into a directory to keep it because ATI's drivers will over write it.

mkdir /lib/mesa
cp /usr/lib/libGL.so.1.2 /lib/mesa

Once you have it copied, you can reinstall your fglrx drivers (It should have been removed when you installed libgl-dri). Now you can start Compiz Fusion using the following example syntax:

LD_PRELOAD=/lib/mesa/libGL.so.1.2 compiz --replace &

On ATI cards (second solution)

An other problem could arise with GLX_EXT_texture_from_pixmap, it is possible that the card could only render it indirectly, then you have to pass the option to your libgl like that :

Note: Compiz basic plugins are not enabled by default. You should enable "Move Window", "Resize Window", and "Window decoration" plugins in settings manager from fusion-icon to have a usable window manager.

Compiz starts, but gtk-window-decorator does not

It is a configuration problem for gconf and gconfd. I solved it by removing ".gconf" dir in my home, but I'm using KDE. If you are using Gnome you should enter your ".gconf" directory and remove all compiz keys. This will erase your compiz settings, so be sure to reconfigure.
Finally exec as user:

All you need to do is edit your /etc/X11/xorg.conf and find the "Depth" directive inside the "Screen" section; change all occurences of this value to 24. This occured to me with my colour depth set to 16; but also happens when it is set to 32.

You may also try adding Option "AddARGBGLXVisuals" "True" & Option "DisableGLXRootClipping" "True" to your "Screen" section if you are using the Nvidia binary driver. (Radeon, and the open 'nv' driver will not work with this option as far as I can tell.) If you used any other Options elsewhere in xorg.conf to get compiz working and still have no luck, try commenting them out and using only the aformentioned ARGBGLXVisuals and GLXRootClipping Options.

the problem is with the permission on ~/.config/compiz. You have set the owner of a folder in your area as root. To change this, run (as root)

chown <username> /home/<username>/.config/compiz

Choppy animations, even though everything configured correctly

If everything is configured correctly but you still have poor performance on some effects, try disabling CCSM->General Options->Display Settings->"Detect Refresh Rate" and instead choose a value manually. Tested on both nvidia and intel chips. Can work wonders.

Alternatively, if your chip is nvidia and you are experiencing an inadequate refresh rate with "Detect Refresh Rate" enabled in Compiz, it's likely due to an option called DynamicTwinView being enabled by default which plays a factor in accurately reporting the maximum refresh rate that your card and display support. You can disable DynamicTwinView by adding the following line to the "Device" or "Screen" section of your xorg.conf file, and then restarting your computer:

Option "DynamicTwinView" "False"

Doing so will allow XrandR to accurately report the refresh rate to anything that detects it, including Compiz. You should be able to leave "Detect Refresh Rate" enabled and get excellent performance. Once again, this only applies to nvidia chips.

Fix Gnome Screenshot

To re-enable gnome-screenshot (the default behavior caused by hitting Template:Keypress) simply go to Settings Manager>Commands and map 'gnome-screenshot' to the 'PrtScn' key. This is advantageous because you can also use the Compiz-Fusion 'Screenshot' plugin at the same time since the action that enables it is <Super>Button1 thereby giving you two methods to do a screen capture (one of which gives a full screen capture in a single keystroke).

Get GNOME Workspace Switcher work with Compiz-Fusion

In older versions of Compiz, the Gnome Workspace Switcher applet would actually work with Compiz-Fusion (i.e. rotate cube/move plane etc.), but recent versions seem not to. This is due to a new feature introduced in Compiz, which allows real seperate workspaces. For example, if you have a desktop plane with four planes, and have four desktops enabled in Gnome, it sums up to a total of 16 different workspaces. Currently, there is no animation associated with "real" workspace changing. To get the Workspace Switcher work, do the following:

Screen artifacts on Firefox / Thunderbird

Note: Altough this issue is not strictly related to Compiz, it has been added here due to popular misconception that Compiz itself may be the cause.

Some users noticed a strange behavior with AMD/ATI Catalyst drivers starting from 10.6 release. Artifacts are visible mainly with Mozilla applications, where the GUI shows black spots of variable size. This is caused by different 2D acceleration tecnique introduced with Catalyst 10.6.
The problem can be fixed following the troubleshooting steps in the ATI Catalyst page

Setting the window manager back to Metacity after uninstall

Removing compiz with pacman does not set your window manager back to metacity. This can result in no window borders being drawn, an inability to minimize, and an inability to change the focus. To change it back, run the command "gconf-editor" in the terminal (install it if you do not have it already). Use this to set the value of the key /desktop/gnome/session/required_components/window_manager from "compiz" to "metacity". Log out and back in for this change to take effect.